Residents, NGOs Applaud Shell Methane Moratorium in Sacred Headwaters

December 5, 2008 (Smithers, BC) – Concerned citizens and NGOs are applauding the announcement today of a two-year moratorium on coalbed methane drilling in northern BC’s Sacred Headwaters.

Shell has been trying since 2004 to develop a controversial coalbed methane gas field in the area, which is the shared birthplace of the Skeena, Nass and Stikine Rivers.

“Residents from all walks of life have stated that drilling thousands of wells at the source of our wild salmon rivers is not an option. Today’s announcement shows that our voices are starting to be heard,” said Shannon McPhail, Executive Director of the Skeena Watershed Conservation Coalition.

“A moratorium is the right decision because it allows all Northwest residents to come together around a vision for protecting the Sacred Headwaters, ” said Pat Moss, with Friends of Wild Salmon, a coalition of First Nations, fishermen and conservationists.

“Shell has demonstrated real leadership with today’s decision. The key question is around social license – that is, whether the Sacred Headwaters is an appropriate place for oil and gas development,” said Jaisel Vadgama with the Pembina Institute.

“We now have the time necessary to craft a workable approach to protect the integrity of the Sacred Headwaters – a solution that respects First Nations and downstream interests,” said Merran Smith with ForestEthics.

“Our outreach and education work will continue until we are sure that coalbed methane drilling will never occur in the Sacred Headwaters,” said Julia Hill with the Terrace organization Northwest Watch.